CS4367

CS4367 Computer Games Design

Part I

Course Duration: One Semester

Credit Units: 3

Level: B4

Medium of Instruction: English

Pre-requisites:
CS4182 (IT4301 old code) Computer Graphics /or
EE4208 (IT4306 old code) Engineering Techniques for Computer Graphics

Pre-cursors: Nil

Equivalent Courses: Nil

Equivalent to the Old Course Code & Title:
IT4307 Computer Games Design

Exclusive Courses: Nil

Part II

Course Aims:

This elective course aims at introducing various topics related to the production of computer games. The course will cover the technological aspects for implementing computer games. The scenario writing, designing of characters, game production and marketing will also be included.

Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs):
(state what the student is expected to be able to do at the end of the course according to a given standard of performance)

Upon successful completion of this course, students should be able to:

No.	CILOs	Weighting (if applicable)
1.	explore the characteristics, requirements and challenges of various game genres and game platforms;	20%
2.	Describe the essential elements and technologies of game design;	20%
3.	evaluate and justify a game design with respect to gameplay, level design and characters setting;	20%
4.	create a well-balanced game with comprehensive documentation;	20%
5.	develop critical thinking skill on creating high quality game.	20%

Teaching and Learning Activities (TLAs):
(Indicative of likely activities and tasks designed to facilitate students’ achievement of the CILOs. Final details will be provided to students in their first week of attendance in this course)

Teaching pattern:
Suggested lecture/tutorial/laboratory mix: 2 hrs. lecture; 1 hr. tutorial.

TLA	Remarks	ILOs to be addressed
Lecture	Lectures will cover the essential technologies, requirements and theories of computer game design.	1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Tutorial	Tutorials will be in form of case studies, analytical discussion and programming exercises. Case studies and analytical discussion are designed to review the material covered in the lectures and widen students’ exposure on the related topics. Programming exercises provide hand-on experience on computer game programming that provides technical competence of computer game design.	1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Assignment	Students will conduct a survey on computer games. The survey aims to encourage students to explore the current trend and technologies of computer game design. Students are required to perform critical assessment and discover potential improvement of their findings.	1, 2, 3, 5
Project	Student will design and develop a computer game with the following requirements: · demonstrate a good understanding on the characteristics and requirements of a given game genre. · apply appropriate technologies in game design. · provide documentation and critical assessment on the game developed.	1, 2, 3 ,4 ,5

Assessment Tasks/Activities:
(Indicative of likely activities and tasks designed to assess how well the students achieve the CILOs. Final details will be provided to students in their first week of attendance in this course)

CILO No.	Type of Assessment Tasks/Activities	Weighting(if applicable)	Remarks
CILO 1	Quiz/ Examination Clarity and correctness in identifying the characteristics, requirements and challenges of various game genres and game platforms will be the measurement of this CILO. Assignments/ Project The ability of student to design a game that fulfills the requirement and constraint of a given game genre and platform will be another measurement.	20%
CILO 2	Quiz/ Examination Students are expected to demonstrate a thorough understanding on the characteristics, strength and weakness of essential elements and technologies of game design. Assignments/ Project There are two measurements of this CILO: (1) The ability of students to apply the design technologies in constructing their game. (2) The completeness of various elements in their game design.	20%
CILO 3	Quiz/ Examination The ability to evaluate and justify game design, particularly in gameplay, level design and character design, will be the measurement of this CILO. Assignments/ Project Students are expected to provide justification on their game design.	20%
CILO 4	Assignments/ Project Students are expected to design a game with innovative gameplay, level design and character settings. In addition, the game should be well balanced and documented.	20%
CILO 5	Quiz/ Examination The ability to provide quality evaluation on a game design will be the measurement of this CILO. Assignments/ Project Students are expected to evaluate their game design with supporting literature.	20%

Grading of Student Achievement:

Examination duration: 2 hours
Percentage of coursework, examination, etc.: 40% CW; 60% Exam
Grading pattern: Standard (A+AA-…F)
For a student to pass the course, at least 30% of the maximum mark for the examination must be obtained.This is a CEF approved course, students who want to apply for CEF claims must achieve at least 70% minimum attendance and obtain at least 50% passing mark for the assessment of the course.

Part III

Keyword Syllabus:

Game Scenario Designing, User Interface, Character Design, Programming Platforms, Real-Time Control, Hardware controllers for games, Network Communication for Games, Artificial Intelligence, Programming Techniques for Games, Physical Animation, Quaternion.